*The Holly and the Ivy* and the You Know What 2013 Chatter Thread.

JJ.

That dotcomgiftshop is going to cause a MAHOOSIVE dent in my purse. I can't stop looking at it! Eeeeeeeeep!

I've hit the sales today, have brought a couple of gift sets for my sisters Pamper Hamper I'm doing her for next Christmas. Brought 3 cuddly hot warmers for nieces using vouchers I'd got.

My sisters Pamper hamper just needs a little bit if choc, a mini bottle of champagne/wine, DVD and towel, and that's done. Wont get the choc and plonk till much nearer Christmas due to dates.

I'm going to do her a garden tub for her birthday in May, and I can get so many seeds etc from garden centres at the mo, so that'll be a doddle to do. Mind you, I might just make up a potted planter for her using plants I grow myself. Did that for her a couple of years ago and she loved it.

Also brought some gift wrap and more Christmas cards. I have been forbidden though by hubs from buying any more Christmas gifts for next year, as I've used some of the money I was given for Christmas on it. Bless him, he wants me to treat myself instead. Wont be buying clothes, as with the amount of choc etc we've still to get through (piccy below). I want to shed the winter waistline before I buy any clothes! Don't need any really anyway, well apart from a Crimble jumper!

So, as I promised yesterday, to add a pic of all the chocs and biscuits we've got to get through, here it all is. I've checked the dates on some of them, and they're mostly good till May, some even later; so at least we don't have the mammoth task of trying to eat it all in a month.



:eek:

If anyone runs out, you know where to ask! :rotfl:


Ooo, ps.. My birthday is May 23rd. xx

azjh77

Evening all...

Been out shopping again today as my Mum wanted to go out. Managed to get 6 of my eldest Daughters quota of 10 presents each (£15 budget)

I'll explain that better. My 4 kids get a stocking in their rooms, with sweets, fruit and a Christmas Craft (Budget of £2 each)
Then for Christmas 2013, after seeing how much they all had this year, I'm doing a sack with 10 presents each (for the £15) and hope to save for a 'main' present as they didn't get one this year.

HBomb (my 13 yearold!) has got into makeup, so in the Wilkinson sale I have managed to get:

Eyeliner .50p
Lipgloss set 1.00
False Lashes .75
Bath bombs .50
Nail Wraps .50

So 5 of her presents for just £3.25 - and they are all boxed in nice sets too, so they look really good.
Also got her a really nice hard back journal and pen set for £1.50, so that's 6 down.

Got my 11 year old girl some Cupcake bits, so she has 3 presents for £4.49 (one of them wasn't half price, but after queuing I couldn't be bothered to go back!)

And I got myself... a santa note book to write in all in! plus a crochet hook... I've started on my springtime wreath, I could only find pastel wool, but this first one is a practice anyway.

Just need to work out how to get photos out of my camera as everywhere seems to have stopped selling card readers.

Bored you all long enough...I'll get on with my crochet... I'm still avoiding doing that essay...

Own_My_Own

picnmix wrote: »

Morning all

You all sound so organised, I have made a vow not to buy anything yet for Xmas 2013 as I always end up with stuff left over, and tend to buy because its in the sale rather than because its good for someone.

I've done that in the past
This year I have given everyone receiving more than one gift a theme. It has really worked in stopping me buy things for the sake of it.

PetuliaGristle wrote: »

Dear all, I discovered this thread just after Christmas, the links and suggestions are great! Island_mum, I love your advent parcel idea, I hope you don't mind me borrowing it for my aunty next Christmas. OMO/Miss Linky, I'll be looking out for your Christmas countdown.

Am on it.
Would like some help with it though. When do YOU all want to have things finished by. I don't want to set dates that are undo-able for some of you, but I also don't want dates that are to late.

Suggestions please.:D

Island_mum wrote: »

OMO I should have been a little clearer sorry.

I'd like to post them all at once in a box come November so she can have them in her cottage and see them all together

I say online gifts because we don't have the majority of the shops you guys seem to find bargains in (Christmas 2012 lurker here) - when it comes to chains we pretty much have Boots, Waitrose, M&S, and Co-op (plus a few clothing chains) that I can think of to have little bits in. Majority of our shops are Channel Island stores.

Then I say small for a bit of both - not too large of heavy for postage but also not too expensive as there'll be 24 plus a Christmas present and we're trying to save with having had our DD this year but I don't like the thought of her being alone in the run up to Christmas.

Thank you for replying :j

I would also have a look at the dotcom sale.

http://www.dotcomgiftshop.com/special-offers?ll=menulink

They have some lovely retro bits on there.

But don't panic, we have 11 months.:rotfl:

---

Went to Colchester and caught up with Amyturtle.:D

The sales were a little pants. Glad I went to Lakeside yesterday.

Finished nephew with Disney colouring book, stickers and some crayons.
Got ds his Joop set for his birthday. It is in June, so each bottle has to last him 6 months.
Got Robbie a set of 4 Christmas board books.

And finally got dd the Narnia dvds. Got the 3rd one in HMV and the first 2 in Asda. (total £8) I am going to make her a mini movie hamper.
Any tips from the lovelies that did one in 2012 would by gratefully received. :D

SugarSpun

If I was not so ridiculously ahead of myself I would be aiming to have all the gifts bought by the end of September so that I had three months to organise money for food, drink and essentials rather than trying to get that and gifts out of fewer paycheques. My plan is to have all the crafting but my dad's stuff done by the end of October and by then I will know enough about his condition to make a decision on what I make and when.

Own_My_Own

Do you all want your own time tables ?

It won't take a lot longer than one big one.

Forgot to add, I also got my baskets for the Chocolate Hampers in Home Bargains for £2.50 each. I am going to keep one out and fill it as I go, so I know when to stop. (Hoping to keep them under £10 )

welshdreamer71

Does anyone know where where I could find a nice leather handbag for mothers day for my mother in law please online preferably March 10th this year really early...

Own_My_Own

welshdreamer71 wrote: »

Does anyone know where where I could find a nice leather handbag for mothers day for my mother in law please online preferably March 10th this year really early...

Marks have a few in their sale -

https://www.marksandspencer.com/gp/search?field-keywords=leather+handbags+for+women&viewID=results&intid=gnav_search&node=42966030

madz2802

Have found a few sites which have advent calender ideas which look fab, and so may be tempted to make a few too...
http://www.lovethelittlethings.co.uk/cart/advent-gift-bags-p-744.php
http://www.partypacks.co.uk/advent-calendar-gift-bags-pack-of-24-pid91089.html (This is the same as the one on dotcom gifts but slightly cheaper! I think)
http://pinterest.com/celinap/advent-calendars/ Heres some cool ideas from others too
-Hope these help someone

Have made a spreadsheet on excel so I can track my spending, don't want to spend too much without realising it haha

Betsie2010

Went into town again today, met best friend otherwise nothing could normally persuade me to to shops 2 days on the trot.
Pleased I did though as managed to pick up some more sale items. Got my youngest niece some new pjs and some for the new baby too. Boots had toy sale on so I finished hers off with toy Pc which was half price. And paid with my boots card so free! Also bought her birthday pressie (May) in Elc so that's one completely done
Got a nodding dog wearing Union Jack coat from Debenhams for £5. Birthday pressie for best friends hubby, luckily he has good sense of humour!
That's me done for now I think unless I see some real unmissables.
So are there any of you who have started to take their decorations down yet? I am itching to do so but have friends and family coming tomorrow so it will have to wait til Sun. I like to see the New Year in with everything being clear and tidy.......doesn't last long!!

welshdreamer71

Own_My_Own wrote: »

Marks have a few in their sale -

https://www.marksandspencer.com/gp/search?field-keywords=leather+handbags+for+women&viewID=results&intid=gnav_search&node=42966030

Thankyou for that theres only so many years you can see someone buy cheaper versions of something used daily me im a grab purse keys and go girl she has everything but the kitchen sink in hers and buys a dozen a year as they break so thats what shes having lol